Article selection apparatus



May 14, 1968 B. J. SZMERETA ET L ARTICLE SELECTION APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1965 M w I M R v u m R r E w e E u F RM TR 9- NM mm 2 3 6 6 WE fl O 2 8 A 5 w 3 WD 4 T S 2 gm WA 4 w W 3 r. A 8 2/ vALvE L 6 2 O Y 5 mm WP Fu 5 INVENTORS BEAM/APO SZMHeETA JOHN A. com/o2 DON/V/E e. HMRLE) May 14, 1968 B. J. SZMERETA ET AL 3,382,973

ARTICLE SELECTION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS BERNARD SZMERETA JO/f/V A. CON/vol? poMv/ls 9. 611/845) United States Patent 3,382,973 ARTICLE SELECTION APPARATUS Bernard J. Szmereta, Huntington Beach, John A. Connor,

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for separating small articles such as magnetic cores. The apparatus includes a substantially vertically oriented tubular passageway 'having an entrance opening at the lower end thereof. First and second openings, respectively directed upwardly and downwardly, are provided in the tubular passageway. The first and second openings communicate with a fluid source (e.g. an air supply) through a valve. In one position of the valve, fluid is forced into the passageway through the first opening to develop a low pressure region so as to draw an article at the entrance opening up through the passageway. In another position of the valve, fluid is forced into the passageway through the second opening to thus drive the article at the entrance opening downwardly.

This invention relates generally to article handling apparatus and more particu iarly to apparatus suitable for use with magnetic core testing equipment for separating acceptable and non-acceptable cores.

Great quantities of inagnetic cores are employed in storage systems of the type used in data processing equipment. In order for such systems to operate properly, all of the cores used therein must meet certain minimum specifications. That is, even a single malfunctioning core in a storage system can make the entire system, as a practical matter, useless. Accordingly, prior to assembling such storage systems, it is essential that each core be individually tested to determine whether its characteristics meet the desired specifications.

US. Patent No. 2,975,894 discloses a typical prior art system for testing and handling magnetic cores. Therein, cores are fed one at a time to a first position at which they are pierced by a test probe and moved to a second position where they are tested. After the test, the probe is withdrawn and the core is stripped therefrom and falls into a funnel. A diflecting means is positioned at the lower end of the funnel and is controlled by the test apparatus to direct the core into either an acceptable or a non-acceptable receptacle.

US. Patent No. 2,858,018 discloses a further apparatus for sorting cores after tests have been performed thereon. Therein, a core is dropped into a chute from which one or more branches extend. First and second doors are mounted in the chute adjacent each branch with each being normally oriented parallel to the chute to thus permit cores to drop therepast. One of the doors blocks the entrance to the branch. The doors are hinged so that in response to a blast of air directed perpendicularly there-at, one door is pivoted into an orientation perpendicular to the chute and the second door is pivoted to open the branch. Thus, the falling core can be blown into the branch to be carried to a receptacle associated therewith.

It is characteristic of prior art devices, as exemplified by the foregoing examples, that some type of movable mechanical mechanism be provided for directing the cores along one of two or more paths. Although devices such 3,382,973 Patented May 14, 1968 ice as these often do operate satisfactorily over extended periods, they occasionally malfunction as a consequence, for example, of the mechanism closing on and partially crushing a core to thus generate dust which thereafter prevents the mechanism from functioning smoothly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for separating small articles such as magnetic cores, which apparatus does not use any movable mechanical elements to direct the articles along a selected path.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention a core separating device is provided which includes a substantially vertically oriented tubular passageway having an entrance opening at the lower end thereof. First and second openings, respectively directed upwardly and downward-1y, are provided in the tubular passageway. The first and second openings communicate with a fluid source (e.g. an air supply) through a valve. In one position of the valve, fluid is forced into the passageway through the first opening to develop a low pressure region which functions to draw the core held at the entrance opening up through the passageway from which it can be deposited into a first receptacle. In another position of the valve, fluid is forced into the passageway through the second opening to thus drive a core held at the entrance opening downwardly into a second receptacle.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the valve is normally positioned so as to direct the fluid downwardly through the passageway so that in the event the valve does not operate properly, cores will be directed into the nonacceptable, rather than the acceptable, receptacle.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself will best be understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a block schematic diagram illustrating a core testing and handling system;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a core separating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane 55 of FIGURE 3.

Attention is now called to FIGURE 1 which illustrates in block diagram form a core testing system employing an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the system of FIGURE 1, a large quantity of cores is initially deposited in a core feeder 10 having a chute 12. A vibrator device 14 is connected to the core feeder 10 and functions to vibrate the feeder to cause the cores held therein to enter the chute 12. The particular type of feeder employed is not critical to the present invention. However, a typical feeder which is commercially available is the Model No. EB-OO manufactured by Syntron which comprises a bowl having, for example, a spiral ledge built therein. In use, a large quantity of magnetic cores are deposited in the bowl and in response A control apparatus 16 is provided which apparatus includes a probe 18 adapted to reciprocally move between an operative test position and an inoperative position. On each forward stroke, the probe 18 will pierce a core held by the carriage and move into engagement with contacts 20 and 22 forming part of a test apparatus 24. The carriage then will return to the chute 12 for another core. The apparatus 24 will perform various tests to determine whether the core through which the probe 18 extends meets the desired set of specifications. US. Patent No. 2,817,809 describes a typical sequence of tests which can be performed on the core.

Conductor 26 connects the test apparatus 24 to a valve 28. The valve 28 couples a fluid supply source 30, preferably an air supply, to a separating device 32 constructed in accordance with the present invention. When the test apparatus 24 indicates that a core is acceptable, the valve 28 is forced into a first position in which the fluid supply is communicated with a fluid path 34. Fluid directed through the path 34 creates a low pressure region above the core being tested and thus causes the core to be drawn through a passageway way 36 and into a tube 38 to a receptacle (not shown in FIGURE 1). On the other hand, if the core being tested is not acceptable, the valve 28 communicates the fluid supply 30 with a fluid path 40 which forces the core being tested downwardly into a receptacle 41.

Attention is now called to FIGURES 2 through 5 which illustrate the details of a preferred embodiment of core separating device 32. More particularly, the device 32 is comprised of a flat block 42 having upper and lower surfaces 43 and 44 respectively. It is intended that the block be mounted in a substantially horizontal orientation. A tubular passageway 46 extends through the block 42. The upper end of the passageway 46 is enlarged at 48. A tubular extension 50 is force fitted into the enlarged passageway portion 48 and projects above the upper surface 44 of the block 42.

First and second openings 52 and 54 are formed in the wall around the passageway 46. The first opening 52 is directed downwardly toward a lower entrance opening 56. The second opening 54 is directed upwardly toward the enlarged passageway portion 48.

The opening 52 communicates with a passageway 58 defined in the block 42. The passageway 58 terminates in an enlarged portion 60 which receives a tubular extension 62 therein adjacent one end 64 of the block 42.

The opening 54 communicates with a small passageway portion 66 which enters into an enlarged portion 68 which extends to an enlarged end portion also receiving a tubular extension therein.

A guide 70 is secured to the lower surface of the block 42 in alignment wit-h the tubular passageway 46. The guide 70 is comprised of first and second substantially perpendicular guide walls 72 and 74. A probe guide hole 76 is defined in guide wall 72.

In the operation of the core separating apparatus, the chute 12 coupled to the feeder 10 of FIGURE 1 delivers cores 78 one at a time to a carrier 77 (FIGURE 4) which moves the cores into alignment with the hole 76 and immediately below the entrance opening 56 to the tubular passageway 46. The probe 18 of the control apparatus 16 is then projected through the hole 76 and pierces or threads a core 78 and engages contacts 20 and 22 of the test apparatus 24. Appropriate tests are then performed with respect to the core 78 and the probe 18 is then withdrawn through the hole 76 to thus remove or wipe the core therefrom. Concurrently, the valve 28 is operated by the test apparatus 24 to either force air through the passageways 58 or 68 and out through the openings 52 or 54 depending upon whether the core is acceptable or non-acceptable. In the event the core is acceptable, the air will be driven out of opening 54 to thus create, by Venturi action, a low pressure region in the tubular passageway 46 which functions t9 dl'QW K C 78 P- '4 wardly. Once the core 78 moves past the opening 54, it is effectively blown through the tubular extension 50 and into flexible tube 38. On the other hand, if the core is non-acceptable, then the air will be driven out through opening 52 thus driving the core 78 downwardly.

As shown in FIGURE 2, positioned immediately beneath the block 42 is a block 80 which has a first aperture 82 therein positioned immediately beneath the guide means 70 and a second aperture 84 into which extends the flexible tube 38. Openings 82 and 84 communicate with ramps 86 and 88 within the block 80 which respectively terminate a diflerent receptacles (not shown in FIGURE 2).

The valve 28 is normally biased so as to communicate the fluid supply 30 with the separating device 32 so that fluid is driven out the opening 52. Accordingly, in case the valve 28 malfunctions, the fluid will force the core 78 into the non-acceptable receptacle. This is significant because it assures that in case of a malfunction, no nonacceptable cores will enter the acceptable receptacle. Inasmuch as the individual cores are relatively inexpensive, it is infinitely better to lose some acceptable cores than to permit non-acceptable cores to be interpreted as being acceptable. I

Although the method of fabrication of the core separating device 32 is not critical, it should be appreciated from the drawings that the device can be formed substantially from a single block of properly machined material. If desired, the guide 70 and tubular extensions 50' and 62 can be formed integrally with the block 42 but whether or not this is done depends strictly upon economic considerations. Mounting holes 90 are provided in blocks 42 and 80 to facilitate their mounting.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that a core separating apparatus has been disclosed herein which is able to deposit cores in either one of two distinct receptacles which apparatus does not use or require any movable mechanical members for directing the cores.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus, for use in a system for testing articles presented one at a time to a testing device, for separating acceptable and non-acceptable articles, said apparatus including:

a wall defining a substantially tubular passageway;

a first opening in said wall directed in substantially a first direction along said tubular passageway; a second opening in said wall directed in substantially a second direction along said tubular passageway;

a fluid supply source;

valve means selectively communicating said source with said first and second openings; and

means coupling said testing device to said valve means for communicating said source with said first opening in response to a non-acceptable article being tested for forcing said article in a first direction relative to said passageway :and for communicating said source with said second opening in response to an acceptable article being tested for drawing said article through said passageway in a second direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means mounting said apparatus for orienting said tubular passageway substantially vertically with said first opening directed downwardly and said second opening directed upwardly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 including a guide extending from said wall adjacent the lower end of said tubular passageway.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said testing apparatus includes means for releasing said articles proximate to the lower end of said passageway.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said articles comprise magnetic cores and including means for delivering salt:I cores one at a time to a position adjacent to said gui e.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said guide defines a hole therein and wherein said cores are delivered to a position in alignment with said hole; and wherein said testing device includes a probe adapted to be projected through said aligned hole and core for supporting said core thereon.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 where-in the dimensions of said hole are smaller than the dimensions of said core whereby said guide will remove said core from said probe when said probe is withdrawn through said hole.

8. In combination:

an apparatus defining a tubular passageway having a lower entrance opening;

means for delivering articles one at a time to said entrance opening;

a first upwardly directed opening in said passageway;

a second downwardly directed opening in said passageway; and

means for selectively exhausting a high velocity fluid through said first opening to draw articles from said entrance opening up through said passageway and through said second opening to force articles downwardly from said entrance opening.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said articles comprise magnetic cores and wherein said means for delivering includes a guide wall defining a hole therein;

a probe;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Boehm et a1. 209--81 Stephen i .d i 302-2 Campbell i 20974 X Stephen 20981 Lodding 209-74 20 ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner. 

